Kiran Bedi: Building a national platform for cops

Kiran Bedi is India's first and highest ranking woman Indian Police Officer. Before retiring in 2007, she was UN Police Advisor to the Secretary General in Peacekeeping department. She is the recipient of more than 20 prestigious awards including Ramon Magsaysay and a UN Medal. Along the way she also founded two NGOs, Navjyoti and India Vision.

With defence and security being the prime concerns in India today, Bedi has not stopped contributing in this regard even after retirement. At a conference earlier this month, she has created a common platform for the policemen to interact better amongst themselves, crossing the borders of geography, rank, or service, about issues of internal security or any other matters of concern in the spirit of 'shared responsibility'.

India also faces other diverse challenges. For example, the need of the hour is a well shielded system for supporting and safeguarding the rights of women and children, especially the girl child, the elderly and those in need. With problems of drug abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, wife beating and dowry on the rise, service minded people like Kiran Bedi have their work cut out for them.

Kiran Bedi is a woman who dares in a male dominant society, where woman has been traditionally considered a synonym of sacrifice. An individual of gut and epitome of intelligence, she has done her utmost to reform the Indian system of governance. The best known and documented of her accomplishments has been in bravely transforming the Tihar jail in New Delhi and reforming the prisoners there through spiritual lessons, detoxification programs, yoga, vipassana meditation, building a huge library, training minds though graduate courses and bringing a change in them from within.

A documentary film on Bedi, Megan Donerman's "Yes Madam, Sir", premiered at Toronto International Film Festival recently. It has portrayed her career as a diehard police officer who has handled difficult cases one after the other and brought about justice, discipline and order in chaotic and worst assignments. It throws light on the corruption that Bedi has fought in her years in office. Eventually, the film showcases her strength as she wins the fight against corruption through her noble actions, bringing much appreciation to India.

Late this month, Kiran Bedi will start being anchor and judge on a reality television show in India called Aap Ki Kachehri (Your Court) where issues such as domestic violence, family/property disputes, which are corroding Indian society, will be discussed and possible solutions offered.

She is the wife of Brij Bedi and the mother of one, Saina. As a young woman from Amritsar, she excelled in sports as a National and an Asian tennis champion.

She has made things happen by spreading light with dignity and taking people from darkness and ignorance to reality.

SATimes spoke to Mrs Bedi about some key issues facing India as she launched the e-initiative for cops. Excerpts:

When did you join the Indian Police Service (IPS) and what was your inspiration?

I joined the service in 1972. My inner inspiration to serve the society from a position of power was the route I took. I believed in the power to change. And IPS stands me for that.

What steps have been taken in the past few years to improve security for women in India?

All my policing years and my NGOs were and are totally focused exactly on this.
Specifically and generally. I have responded as per the special needs of the community. Women needed that and they got it. I always sought out for women with initiative to be placed in the right place so that they feel fulfilled.

Winner of more than 20 prestigious awards including Ramon Magsaysay, President's Gallantry award, to name a few, you have contributed immensely in crime prevention, drug abuse, police and prison reforms. Can we go over the highlights?

* Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, 1994: Reforms in Tihar Jail (India's largest prison complex) which have lead to its inmates following a routine of study, work and meditation were a breakthrough.

* Women's peace committees, set up at my initiative, promoted neighborhood harmony. As community participation rose, crimes fell. Observing the link between drug addiction and chronic criminality, community-supported detoxification clinics were set up, a model which was later used for wider application when I took over as deputy director of the Narcotics Control Bureau. Crime control, drug rehabilitation, and humane prison reform were three key issues that were addressed.

* Received Police Medal for Gallantry by the President of India for conspicuous courage.

* Received Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 from Bank of Baroda for continuing commitment to the underprivileged and giving a new chapter in the history of Indian Police Force.

* Received Asia – Region Award 1991 for work done in the field of Drug Abuse Prevention by International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT), a Norway based organisation.

* Given "Woman of the Year" Award 2002 by the Blue Drop Group Management, Cultural and Artistic Association, Italy.

* The Joseph Beuys Foundation Award 1997 for Holistic and Innovative Management, and the Morrison Tom Gitchoff Award 2001 for actions that have significantly improved the quality of justice in India.

What were some of the outcomes of the conference on September 1?

For the first time in India we have created a common platform for the cops to come together as closed community. A seamless national platform has been created to enable 'all cops' to interact better amongst themselves, crossing the borders of geography, rank, or service, about issues of internal security or any other matters of concern in the spirit of 'shared responsibility'. It is hoped that the e-space will enhance collective appreciation of policing issue.

This is the open space for 'shared responsibility' for citizens of the country.
Safety and Security is not an exclusive duty of only our security services. It is a 'shared responsibility'.

The community can share their opinions, suggestions, recommendations and post on the site. Approved ideas will be forwarded to the concerned authorities for implementation.

For children of policemen, three key initiatives have been taken:

* To focus on kids of cops to take to Information Technology.

* Enable Education and Training

* Award Scholarships to the deserving

E-complaints can now be lodged at www.saferindia.com Toll free: 1800-11-5100


Which books have you written and what is the theme of each?

1. What Went Wrong: Unique collection of uncensored narrations volunteered by individuals who had nothing to declare but their wrong past. The real life experiences provide readers a close insight into lives they may otherwise ignore, be unaware of or have no access to.

2. It's Always Possible: A book on Tihar and its transformation from criminality to humanity. The book is a result of the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship, awarded to me in the year 1994. The book focuses on Tihar, one of the largest prisons in the world. It has three sections, the first being, 'What existed' which describes the conditions which prevailed in Tihar when I had taken charge. The second section, 'What evolved' describes the holistic transformation of the prison system which put Tihar on the road to reforms. 'What emerged', the third section of the book, is a graphical representation of the methodology followed for changing Tihar.

The book is accompanied by a CD ROM. It's Always Possible has been released in eight cities in the US, the United Kingdom and at the International Book fair at Harare, Zimbabwe. The Australian edition of the book was realised after visits to prisons of Australia. The book also has a Bangladesh edition.

3. As Kiran Sees It...This is a compilation of real experiences about police service, women and national issues, education and patriotism to name a few.

All proceeds of this book go to Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, for education and upbringing of children in need.

4. A book titled Kiran Bedi —The Kindly Baton, has been authored by Dr Meenakshi Saksena, Reader in the Department of Psychology, Indraprastha College, Delhi University. There is also my biography, I Dare, published by UBS Publishers, and written by Parmesh Dangwal.

My real experiences also feature in:

* Government@net co-authored with Sandeep Srivastava and Parminder Jeet Singh.

* May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller

* Women in Indian Police by Shamim Aleem

* A study— Women in Asia published by UNESCO.

What are your plans for the future of India especially upliftment of women?

It will all depend on the nurturance and education. And then how they use both.

Where is the root of all problems - Within individuals, education and upbringing or in the overall system?

Mind sets or attitudes. Which we are all a product of.

Do you think India is still a male dominant society?

Of course it still is. When it comes to marriage, or homes, or economic decisions. Or even child bearing. And then on appointments and key positions.

How would you compare 21st century US to 21st century India? What can we learn and what can we teach?

We need to govern better and give to the country younger breed of leaders--men and women. Which means teach public administration like IT to all as well or else we will get left behind because of poor governance.

Log on to www.kiranbedi.com, navjyoti.org, indiavisionfoundation.org, www.indiapolice.in, www.saferindia.in to find out more about Kiran Bedi, make donations for the needy or fight for a cause.

by Nikki Rattan

Miss Pakistan World Natasha Paracha

Natasha Paracha, 23 and a graduate from University of California at Berkeley was crowned the new Miss Pakistan World in the annual beauty pageant in Toronto replacing Mahleej Sarkari. Paracha outdid a bevy of Pakistani beauties in the pageant to win the crown.

She is presently living in New York and has founded the Pakistani Students Association at UC Berkley and a non-profit organization called “Vision of Development”, which works for the upliftment of women in the backward areas of Pakistan.

The South Asian Times asked her a few questions on her recently found success as Miss Pakistan World.

1. How do you feel after winning the contest?

I was really honored and excited to win the title of Miss Pakistan
World 2008. There were lot of different emotions going through my
head, but I was very happy that the hard work and dedication paid
off.

2. Where were you born and brought up?

I was born in Islamabad, Pakistan. Soon after, my parents decided to move
to Los Angeles for my fathers watch business. However, my parents give
much importance to knowing our roots, so we divide our time between
Pakistan and the U.S.

3. What are your strengths that set you apart from other contestants?

I feel that in order to represent your country in a pageant there
are strengths that all contestants must possess -beauty,
intelligence, poise, humbleness and grace. I feel that I, along
with all the other contestants of this years Miss Pakistan World
pageant possessed these qualities. However, I feel that my passion
for life and drive to excel is what shinned during the interview
portion.

4. What are the Challenges you faced while preparing for the pageant?

When I first set out to take part of this pageant, I wanted my platform to
be different. I wanted to promote South Asian designers, stylists,
choreographers and interview coaches. It was a struggle at first when I
set out to find individuals from the South Asian community, but it was
well worth it. I feel that it if we work together as a community, we can
strive to achieve greater things.

5. How do you keep yourself fit?

I don't have much of a crazy workout routine or a strict diet. I
just try to eat healthy and incorporate a variety of fitness
activities in my everyday routine. Balance and moderation are key
to a healthy and happy lifestyle.

6. Who has been your role model or inspiration?

My mother has been my role model and inspiration to me. She has
been an amazing mother and friend. She has taught me the
importance of being a strong female leader in not only the
community, but also in college and through my work at the United
Nations. She has pushed me to strive for higher goals and further
my successes. My mom has taught me that life doesn't stop, as soon
as you have climbed over one hurdle, you must continue to the
next.

7. How much has participating in this pageant benefited you?

Participating in Miss Pakistan World has opened many doors for me. This
pageant has provided me with a platform to be an ambassador for my
country and represent Pakistan at an international level. I am honored
and humbled with my new role.

8. Did you get along well with the other participants in the competition?

Before coming to the pageant, I did not know what to expect from
the other participants in the competition. We all became so close
in the first few days of coaching. It became more of a team than
anything else and we all worked together rather than as
competitors. I feel as though we became like sisters over the
course of the training and competition.

9. What are your future plans after your victory? Do you plan to make the world a better place to live in, especially for women?

I hope to work hard this year and work towards economic development
in Pakistan, the alleviation of poverty, foster educational
opportunities for youth and be an advocate for women's rights. As
an ambassador for my country, I hope to work with various charity
organizations, corporate sponsors, and the community to accomplish
these aspirations.

10. Any Advice for future contestants?

My advice to future contestants is to mentally prepare them. Have a platform set for yourself and know why you want to enter this pageant because after you win, you will be a representative for your nation.

Indeed a woman of substance, Paracha is a true beauty with brains.

By Nikki Rattan

Richness of Indian Culture & Heritage: Celebrating Vivaha 2008

Planning a luxury Indian wedding? Celebrating Vivaha 2008 is the best place to be at with its grand opening which bedazzled New Delhi at Hotel Ashok from August 1 to August 3. With its 6^th successful year, the exhibition continues in major cities like Mumbai, Indore, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad with the finale in New Delhi in December 2008.

Brands like Celeste - The Artisans of Fine Chocolates, La Solitaire, Lustre by Bajaj Jewellers, Diamond Constellation, Aura by Sushma Surana, Yvonne Designer Sarees & Kurtas, Zari, designer Vikram Phadnis, Tantra, Yellow Stone, VLCC were all in magnificence. Precisely from Chocolates, gift wrappings, honeymoon destinations, bridal wear to jewellery, it is a one stop destination for all wedding needs. World's best brands in home luxury like Lladró, Villeroy & Boch, Harnn, Christofle, Rosenthal/Versace were also in full attendance at Hotel Ashok.

Preston Bailey, New York's famous Wedding/Event designer in collaboration with Ferns & Petals in India was also being launched at the exhibit.

Preston Bailey: "I want to work in India all the time"

1. How has your experience been in Celebrating Vivaha 2008 in Delhi. What are things you liked/disliked?

My experience has been amazing, everything has blown me away. I have been amazed by the craftsmanship of the artisans. I have never seen anything like it before. The people here have been so wonderful, warm, and open. I feel a kinship to them. I feel like I could move here and be happy for the rest of my life.

2. What is the key to creating a royal wedding?

For me the key to a successful Royal Wedding is really listening to my clients and understanding what they want, and show them everything before hand so there are no surprises the day of the event.

3. What challenges do you face?

Every event is a challenge due to that every event needs to be original. Coming up with an new design every time is very challenging but is also the best part of my job and the part that keeps me going after all these years.

4. Which celebrity wedding would you want to design in India in future?

All of them! I want to work in India all the time so I would love to work for everybody.

The enthusiasm and craze for Indian weddings went on with the lavish display of the epitome of Indian culture, the six yard wonder; Saree to Bridal Lehengas in various colours at the exhibit. A word with the young, talented designer, Shruti from the label SSquare who did her fashion designing from the U.K. and has been designing since 3 years in India with exhibitions in Bangkok, India, Dubai:

Shruti: "We have been doing exhibits at Vivaha since 3 years"

1. Where did you study fashion from?

We started our label SSquare 3.5yrs back. We are into bridal wear, skirts and corsets, sarees, tunics. I did my fashion graduation from NIFT (National Institute of Fashion technology) Hauz Khas, New Delhi and then fashion business course from London College of Fashion.

2. Is this your first exhibit at Celebrating Vivaha? Do you see Celebrating Vivaha as a launch pad to a bigger market?

We have been doing Vivaha since about 3 yrs. It has been a good exhibition. Yes it is a good platform.

3. What colours are "in" this season for Brides?

For brides we are doing a lot of colour rather than just red colour. We are doing rust, carrot pink, gold, mango.

Mehendi Queen Veena Nagda added a golden touch as Indian Weddings are incomplete without the Mehendi ceremony. When SATimes asked her who her favourite bride has been, she cheerfully replied, "Suzanne Khan." She has done bridal Mehendi for Priya Chatwal, Liz Hurley and Bollywood get ups for Rani Mukherji (Hum Tum), Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra (God Tussi great ho), Kajol (U me Aur Hum)and many leading stars in the industry. When asked what is it that makes Mehendi so significant for the bride, Veena told SATimes "It is Mehendi that completes the beauty (singhar) of a bride and the darker the Mehendi colour is on the hands of the bride, the more love, care and affection she would get from her Husband's family." As impressive as her Mehendi is, her thoughts about the tradition of Mehendi on weddings are even more delightful.

CEO, Tarun Sarda is proud to take "The Grand Indian Wedding Exhibition" to Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai in October making the event international. SATimes asked him about the billion dollar wedding industry and more:

Tarun Sarda: "We understand the pulse of Indian Weddings"

What was the turnover last year?

With the passing of each year, Celebrating Vivaha has turned bigger and better than before, both in terms of quality and quantity of participants. In addition to the best of brands and designers, we have added several cities in our ambit over the last two-three years and all the cities responded to the initiative most encouragingly, reaffirming the belief in the stature of the Indian weddings and the Celebrating Vivaha exhibitions. Last year we hosted the exhibition in about seven cities-New Delhi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai, and an average turnover of an exhibition in a metropolis like Delhi, is about Rs 100 crores.

What is the turnover that you expect this year?
The wedding business is on an all time high and a growth of 20 to 25 per cent is expected this year.

Which designers are the highest crowd pullers this year till now?

The Delhi exhibition was a rolling success and almost every participant did well. But the stalls that witnessed heavy traffic were of ace Bollywood designer Vikram Phadnis, Aksh-Kolkata, Yellow Stone, Vibrrant by Radhika: The Fashion House, Unifrutti, Essvee Jewels by Punjab Jewellers, Srihari Diagems, and Studio XLNC by Anjali and Ruchika.

Any plans to hold the exhibitions in US in the future years?

We are looking at bringing the exhibition to USA by late next year or early 2010 and are targeting New Jersey, Chicago and LA for the same.

What makes Celebrating Vivaha 2008 special?

Years of experience has primed Celebrating Vivaha to understand the pulse of Indian weddings, which in itself has gone through a big transition, both in terms of traditions and money involved. In fact weddings are no longer just about clothes, jewellery and beauty products. We know that weddings have moved beyond the basics. These days families with a good spending power look forward to a wedding that's truly memorable, extravagant and encompasses the luxuries of life, and families leave no stone unturned to facilitate that. And that's where an exhibition like ours comes into the picture by bringing in all the options that make a wedding complete. Be it wedding designers, honeymoon destinations, packaging, gifting, chocolates, beauty, home décor, henna artist or astrology for that matter, we endeavour to get all that for you to ease you off your worries.

Celebrating Vivaha in itself is 'Special' because it's not just about wedding shopping and profits made at the stall. Celebrating Vivaha is a platform for building careers. People have launched their brands with our exhibition. We have nurtured talent and turned housewives into entrepreneurs. Our clients have grown by leaps and bounds, in their own words, primarily by their participation in Celebrating Vivaha, apart from other attributes like their own marketing efforts and high standard of products and services. Celebrating Vivaha has worked as a perfect platform for them to launch or establish themselves in the trade. It's a great feeling of satisfaction for us.

Indeed, Vivaha attracts not only brides and grooms but also fashion and jewellery designers, make-up artists, photographers and other professionals who want to renew themselves on the business of weddings, fashion and lifestyle and to update their knowledge on the latest trends in India. The over whelming response that it received this year in Delhi, has once again proved India's richness and distinctiveness in wedding traditions, culture and heritage. The exhibition moves to various cities and will surely give memories to many for years to come!

Event Calender:

Ludhiana at Majestic Park Plaza from July 19 to July 21

New Delhi at Hotel Ashok from August 1 to August 3

Mumbai at J W Marriott from August 8 to August 10

Indore at Sayaji Hotel from August 22 to August 24

Bangalore at The Leela Palace from September 12 to September 14

'The Grand Indian Exhibition-In Touch with Fashion' at Madinat Jumeirah Hotel at Dubai from October 9 to October 11.

Kolkata at Hyatt Regency from November 1 to November 3

Hydera bad at Taj Krishna from November 14 to November 16

New Delhi at Hotel Ashok from December 12 to December 14

By Nikki Rattan

Freedom to express: Making of Indian Cinema in the Independent India

On reflecting on Indian Independence, a set of important historical figures and stories of resistance emerge in my mind. Whether it was tactical agitation and subterfuge of British policy by Indian politicians or the raw indignation and defiance of protesting masses, Independence was fought and achieved on many battle grounds and diverse arenas.

As a child, I remember hearing narrations of the freedom movement from my grandparents and aunties as they tried to pass down the spirit of the time they lived through. Today in a boisterous era of Indian patriotism and pride, the colonial struggle is represented to a new generation in sensational Bollywood films we've all seen like Laagan, Ghadar, and most recently Rang de Basanti which have been much appreciated in the national and international arena.However, Indian cinema was not always the exuberant powerhouse we see today. Like many other movements in colonial India, Indian cinema had to unite crowds and earn its right to exist freely. In the 1920's, 80% of the films shown in theatres were imported from America. High British tariffs on raw film stock made domestic film production very expensive and there was absolutely no financial support for production from the British Government.

As a result, importing foreign films was the easiest way for exhibitors to ensure a steady supply of films and turn profits at the theatres. Disturbed by the dominance of America's film product, England attempted to impose a 1927 British Film Quota act that would require distributors and exhibitors to carry an annually increasing number of British made "empire films." The act required the percentage of empire films must start at 7.5 percent of the total market and rise to 20 percent in the first 10 years. In effect, the act served to compete with the "morally objectionable" Hollywood imports, boost British film sales, and perhaps most frighteningly maintain British cultural influence and imperialism. Coupled with England's dismissive stance on Indian cinema, it seems like enough competition and regulation to discourage any attempts at producing homegrown films.

The first time maverick Indian filmmakers and the pictures they created for an underserved local market despite financial and technical production constraints are worth noticing. Risk takers like Save Dada, F.B. Thanwala, Hiralal Sen, and R.G. Tomey jumped into this unknown art form from different backgrounds armed with only a desire to tell stories. Black money was the only money that trickled into Indian silent film productions and although they couldn't compete on quantity or technical grounds or with the imports, these movies were more revered by their audiences. Charming and rooted in mythology or live performance traditions, Indian films started showing returns on their investments over long theatrical runs.

By the time the 1927 "empire film" quota was introduced to the colonial market, an underestimated domestic Indian film product was already connecting with two thirds of Indian audiences in their hearts. The introduction of sound in 1930 was a revolutionary element that only excited audiences further and ramped up domestic production. The British were too late and producing too irrelevant a film product to stake a claim in the emerging market. These small pictures collectively proved to be the key to stopping the British agenda of controlling the movies Indians watch. New Indian filmgoers didn't watched foreign films because they had an alternative.

These audiences preferred the rickety but authentic stories reflecting Indian values and lives. The story of Dhundiraj Govind "Dadasaheb Phalke" is a significant moment in the formation of India. Phalke is credited with premiering the country's first Indian feature film, Raja Harishchandra (50 min) on May 3, 1913. The production was completely Indian and of course it was very successful. Originally a photographer, he found filmmaking after the death of his wife and child to Bubonic plague. A creative spirit at heart, he formed Hindustan Films with a group of investors and went on to produce 4 more credited feature films.

He eventually left Hindustan films when he opposed the new profit driven direction of the company. Hindustan films turned out flops without the crafty spark of their founder and ultimately begged him to return. This story resonates because the same battle occurs at production houses today; determining a balance between art and commerce. Yet this was 90 years ago. Could Dadasaheb have ever envisioned the industry his creative pursuit would become one day? Considering the challenges in any film production, I see remarkable spirit in his vision for an independent Indian film production company during that time. Financial failure or success, Dadasaheb found a way to make films on his terms and set an example for new Indian possibility which is admirable. Around 1200 silent Indian films were made between the years of 1897 to 1930-the earlier films were shorter while full length production took off in the 1920's. In 1920, 18 full lengths were produced in the year.

In 1921, the number jumped to 40 and by 1925, 80 feature films were made in the year. By 1927, the top 3 Indian film theatres had out grossed the top 3 foreign film theatres in Bombay and Indian cinema had arrived. The persistence and curiosity of Dadasaheb and the other Indian filmmakers of the time marked a significant shift in media possibilities. Instead of passively accepting the British and foreign imported productions or folding when faced with limited resources, the first film artists rushed in and created with what they had. They made films for much less money, saw similar returns and unified people with Indian stories in a time leading up to independence Unfortunately, what remains of this formative silent era hardly fits on to 6 video cassettes at the National Film Archives of India. Silent films and directors can be seen as part of a revolutionary semiotic movement that discovered and energized the first receptive Indian film audience.

They laid the groundwork for something vital to a colonial state struggling to emerge from the psychological grip of British Rule: an esthetically independent storytelling art form in a time of emerging Indian freedom.Bollywood movie industry churns out 1000 films a year featuring Indians in every type of role in every type of movie from corny comedies to socially challenging art film. Criticism of content aside, the mere existence of this industry is an often overlooked component to our sense of free India. Can you imagine an India that still features 80% Hollywood movies in the theatres like in 1920? I think people never truly grasp what a unique revolution Indian film in this foreign market sales driven world that Hollywood economics control - most other countries are trying everything possible to generate the autonomous, enthusiastic and publicly endorsed national cinema that India boasts. None of them will ever achieve the passionate domestic spectatorship India has. On India's Independence Day, the trailblazers that gave birth to the most independent film tradition on the planet are worth a salute!

Guest writer Tanuj Chopra is a New York based writer - film director. His work "Punching at the Sun" won Best Narrative at the San Francisco International Asian American film festival and he is currently working on "Clap Clap."

Making the world a better place: Educating young minds

A key fundamental human right is the right to education. Education is something that every child needs. Government in India provides education from Kindergarten to 12^th grade ranging from private, public and government.

All levels of education in India, from primary to higher education, are headed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Higher Education - India and Department of School Education and Literacy). Schools and colleges receive heavy grants for making education possible. Indian students are now going for exchange programs abroad, excelling in maths, sciences and medicine and pursue some of the most renowned professions worldwide. The race and thirst for knowledge began in India years ago.

Education in India
Educational oversight HRD Minister State HRD Ministers	Ministry of HRD Arjun Singh M.A.A. Fatmi & Smt. D Purandeshwari
National education budget	Rs.24,115 crore (2006-07) Rs. 28, 674 crore (2007-08) Rs. 34, 400 crore (2008-09)
Primary language(s) of education	English, Other regional languages
Literacy (2001) • Men • Women	64.8 % 75.3 % 53.7 %
Enrollment1 (2001-02) • Primary (I-V) • Mid/Upper Prim. (VI-VIII) • Higher Secondary (IX-X)	189.2 million 113.9 million 44.8 million 30.5 million
1. doesn't include kindergarten enrollment

While private schools like Modern, Delhi Public School, G.D. Goenka, Bal Bharti, International Schools are on the path to educate children, government schools in India are providing free education until higher secondary for the needy. With the aim to achieve 100% literacy, students are offered free meals, education, uniforms till their 12^th grade. Early morning prayers, extra curricular activities, moral education are all part of the daily schooling.

SATimes looked deeper into Nagar Palika primary school run by NDMC in New Delhi to find out more. The school comprises of 8 staff members, 140 students and Head Mistress Srimati

Harbans Kaur. In the words of the HM, "Our main cause is education, lifelong learning and betterment of children who are the representatives of modern India." The students have received awards in the field of sports, yoga, science fairs and other talents. The Director of Education gives Cash awards to those who excel in examinations. Teachers attend annual seminars to update their skills. Awards for excellence are offered at State and National level to Teachers. The school celebrated Independence Day this year with speeches, music and dance performances by students for which preparations were done in advance.

This year they attended two workshops in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute with an aim of learning new methods of teaching and upgrading their knowledge to employ sophisticated teaching techniques. Participants were given certificates for successfully completing the workshops. It was a fun filled event with Bollywood quizzes and gifts being given. Constant efforts are to make education and learning fun.

In this year mid-day meal programme in schools has already reached out to 100 million children at the primary level of education according to Ministry of Education. According to statistics "The girls' enrolment has increased from 43.7 percent (2001) to 46.7 percent (2004) in the age group 6 -11 at primary level, while the gender gap has reduced from 19 to 6 percent point in the same period."

HRD Minister, Arjun Singh said earlier in an interview last year: 'We should take proper stock of things as we still have four to five months to go when the 11th Plan (2007-12) will be operationalized.' Some developments so far are:

• 8.24 crore children of primay schools and 3.50 crore children of upper primary schools covered under Midday Meal Scheme.
  
• 2758 Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya sanctioned
• 554 Navodaya Vidyalayas functioning in 20 districts with special concentration on regions having SC/ST majority
• 98% children have access at Primary School
• 2.46 lakh schools opened and 9.09 lakh teachers appointed
  

With constant planning and newer teaching methods being introduced and the dedication amongst students to excel, nothing is impossible. Minister Arjun Singh and the parliament also introduced the quota system to reserve seats for the under privileged making education possible for many. Enabling students to get education, including rural areas, equal education rights for the girl child, introducing moral education and nutritive meals, spreading knowledge and know how to the under privileged with none or minimum fee is what government has constantly strived for. By Implementing this in most schools and making the goal of 100% literacy a reality is indeed not far.

By Nikki Rattan

Celebrating Independence of the Nation

New Delhi saw the celebration of 62^nd Independence Day on 15 August 2008 with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unfurling the tricolour flag of India at the Red Fort. He was received by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and the Minister of State for Defence Shri M M Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh and Defence Secretary Shri Vijay Singh.

After introduction with the General Commanding Officer, Major General KJS Oberoi, Indian PM inspected the Guard of Honour. With the 21^st gun salute fired by elite 299 Field Regiment the flag was unfurled by PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and the band lead by Junior Warrant Officer Alfred played the National anthem of India. Followed by this was PM's speech to the nation in which he talked of his vision for a prosperous, peaceful and secular nation. He discussed the National Common Minimum Programme (rural development, economic growth), the seven sutras (the seven priorities for Government – agriculture, water, education, health care, employment, urban renewal and infrastructure), issues relating malnutrition, economic growth, modern energy sources, good governance (Government transparency, efficiency and responsiveness), terrorism, equal rights for minorities, social equality, regional imbalance, environment threats and overall welfare. Indian Prime Minister inspired young children by asking them to chant "Jai Hind" three times at the end of his speech.

After the speech, National Cadet Corps and school kids sang the Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" enlivening the crowds that had gathered to celebrate the pride of freedom from past struggle and colonialism. The national flag swayed in the air, thousands of tri color balloons were released in the sky as the national anthem was sung, symbolising the celebration of the freedom of the spirit of India. The flag hosting ceremony saw the participation of more than 1000 cadets from Delhi Directorate singing patriotic songs including "Mera rang de basanti chola" and "Sarforshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil main hai."

During the ceremony Red fort was well guarded by 64,000 Delhi Police officials, 10,000 security personnel from Central Reserve Police Force, the Central Industrial Security Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Indian Air Force helicopters flew overhead, providing security to the city. Sharpshooters and anti-aircraft guns were installed in buildings through out the city.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also attended the 'At Home' function organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 62nd Independence Day, in New Delhi on August 15, 2008 along with the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad, the Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony, the Minister of State for Railways, Shri R. Velu and the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Shri Namo Narain Meena.

The President, Smt. Pratibha Patil honored the renowned Sculptor, Shri Ram V. Sutar who prepared the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, which is unveiled at Parliament House. The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries are also seen. The president later laid wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate as the soldiers marched past as homage to brave soldiers.

Indian Prime Minister did parikrama and paid floral tributes to the Samadhi of late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijayghat, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at Shantivan, Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, Rajiv Gandhi at Veerbhoomi and to Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal on the occasion of 62^nd Independence Day of India.

With the ceremonial rituals and speeches India is indeed moving towards living the dream that Gandhiji once saw leading to a new, reformed and free India:

The outward freedom that we shall attain will only be in exact proportion to the inward freedom to which we may have grown at a given moment. And if this is a correct view of freedom, our chief energy must be concentrated on achieving reform from within.

- Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)


By Nikki Rattan

Indian fashion: going mainstream in US

Major player in the domestic and international market, India is known for export of fabric and accessories. Tradition, culture, colours, raw material have all made Indian Fashion unique. Beadwork, mirrors, pearls, crystals, sequins, chikon, aari, hand crafts create images of sheer elegance.

Over the past several years the face of Indian Fashion has changed tremendously. People want to dress trendy, which has lead to a rising number of fashion designers establishing their labels globally. Kurtis, fittet fishnet bridal, low back cholis, salwaar, sassy sarees to corsets, there is nothing that is not accessible to the cosmopolitan men and women. Designers like Ritu Kumar, Satya Paul, Anju Modi are some renowned labels that have created master piece ensembles and have a strong footage in the U.S. - Indian Fashion industry is expected to reach $187.7 million by 2012 from the present $67.6 million.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is a fine example of the expansion of Indian designs in the foreign market. Matching up with the British Fashion Council in London, the CFDA in New York and the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-a-porter des Couturiers et des Createurs de Mode in Paris, the FDCI has launched individual designers and promoted interest of India and brought fame and recognition to the nation.

Payal Singhal, designer with stores in New York, Vancouver, Mauritius, Kuwait, Dubai, London, Cape Town and Hongkong started to design at a tender age of 15. After studying at Fashion Institute of Technology New York, she is a connoisseur at designing anything from the perfect evening attire, the most desired bridal to dressing a New York style icon. This is what Payal had to say about the metamorphosis in Indian Fashion in India and U.S. in an interview with SAT imes:

1) How is your clientele in US different from that in India? How would you compare and contrast their tastes and choices in clothing?

Payal: The client profile is pretty much the same in terms of age, race and economic and social standing but their tastes vary a lot. My clients in India are more modern and experiment with their Indian clothes whereas the girls here feel safer to wear more traditional clothes. I guess because they wear Indian clothes on fewer occasions they prefer them being more "Indian" and slightly traditional.

2) Explain how Indian fashion changed from early 80s to now?

Payal: Indian fashion has evolved to b become mainstream fashion in the last 20 years ...now everyone knows what a "Tunic" or "Kurta" is and wearing a saree is the ultimate in exotic indulgence. Even amongst the Indian and south Asian population local fashion is something that has evolved to be more practical wearable and fashion forward.

3) Would you call it more open/conservative?

Payal: I think it's just more global and yes in that sense I would say it's more open.

4) Your opinion on this changing face of Indian fashion?

Payal: I think it is a matter of time. The fashion scene in India would become so global in the coming years, since India is so rich in its heritage of costume, textile and the art of embroidery it was inevitable that someone would sit up and take notice and now indeed the world is...

The influence of Indian fashion is not limited to clients of Indian origin. From Bollywood actresses like Katrina Kaif to Hollywood damsels, Indian designs are much preferred. Fashion guru Rohit Bal, designed a sari for Pamela Anderson, the former Baywatch star. Liz Hurley opted for a traditional Indian-style wedding and wore a $7,700 pink silk sari (£4,000) for the ceremony. The sari was designed by Crème de la Crème of the fashion industry Tarun Tahiliani, who is well known for his contemporary takes on conventional Indian fabrics and styles and also designed a pink organza outfit for Priya Sachdev's glam wedding with New York based hotelier Vikram Chatwal.

Embroidery goddess Razia Gandhi, a well known name behind the most renowned labels in the world has dressed the likes of Hillary Clinton, Catherine Zeta Jones, Princess of Wales and Sharon Stone. Designer Ritu Kumar, has presented her couture lines for charity in Times Square, New York. The art of Chikankari, bandhej, block printing and Khadi textile were the highlights of her Tree of Life collection showcased in New York. With ethnic and cosmopolitan Indian designs being such a rage, one can't say only Paris and Milan dictate global fashion.

Undeniably with high end Indian couture strengthening its roots in the United States, there is nothing more that the multi-ethnic, sophisticated, chic women living abroad could want for creating that perfect look.

By Nikki Rattan

Airborne : Rising tourist arrivals from India to US

There has been a rapid growth in Indian tourists visiting the U.S. over the past five years. With the arrival of the cosmopolitan Indian, the number of tourists from India rose 39 percent between 2006 and 2007, when nearly 570,000 Indian tourists came to the US. They spending $3.6 billion in 2007 in the country, according to U.S. Commerce Department statistics, a whopping 40 percent more than in 2006.

Niagara Falls, on the east coast bordering Canada is the most popular tourist destination for Indians. "There is a deep love affair that India has with Niagara Falls," said Brad Billard, director of marketing and promotions of Whirlpool Jet Tours.

Research says that as more Indians travel with families to the US, even as they do sightseeing, they also tend to spend on shopping, hotels, spas and luxury. That makes them favoured tourists.

The new factors encouraging Indians travelling abroad include the open sky policy. Tourist traffic has also increased because of cheaper fares being offered by airlines as aviation increasingly becomes a competitive industry. Weakening of the US dollar against the Indian rupee has also made foreign vacations undeniably more affordable for Indians.

Recently, the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation created a pact with international consulting firms to encourage visitors from India to North America, making it one of the first agencies to create the India-specific international bond.

President & CEO of Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp, John Percy, replied a few questions about the growth of US- India tourism :

"Indian tourists are big spenders"

Extracts from the interview John Percy, President & CEO of Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp, gave to SATimes.

What are the challenges lately faced by the US travel and tourism industry?

Most recently, it's the gas crisis on a domestic level and the downturn in the domestic economies. The impact is not so severe in the short term, however it will be in the long term if the trend continues. On international level, we have to contend with restrictions placed on travel by the Dept. of Homeland Security and US Immigration. With it being a massive global marketplace it is so much easier for international travelers to choose another location versus the USA. If Visa restrictions are not loosened or changed, we will eventually witness a decrease in inbound business while these travelers choose a friendlier destination.

How has the influx of Indian tourists in US changed in the last 5 years?

The business has grown significantly! Niagara Falls has witnessed and experienced a large influx of Indian visitors and that's why we have chosen India as our first country to contract for international representation. And the traveler from India has changed as well. They are large spenders and more adventurous than from other markets. In fact, in 2007 Indian travellers ranked as the sixth highest spenders for inbound international markets and this is a dramatic change from the past five to 10 years. We look forward to establishing Niagara Falls in India as a foundation before other destinations realize the potential and the market becomes over-saturated!

Any policies that you would want changed to benefit the US tourism industry?

Visa restrictions – they need to become easier for people to obtain and in a shorter time period as well. People will make a decision to go elsewhere than the US if there wait time is long and the process complicated. I also think our entry points need to become friendlier and more welcoming.

Any views on improving US - India ties in general and in tourism sector in particular?

I think India has always been a good ally of the US and I think it will only improve under a new administration after November 2008. Our government needs to realize the potential with India and build better ties and relationships with not only the public sector but also private commerce as well. I think too much attention has been paid to China and their growth, more needs to be paid to India. I think the growth potential is stronger in India than China, especially with tourism!

From luxury vacations to back packing, Indian tourists enjoy amusement parks, festivals, architectural and scenic beauty, landmarks, family weddings, hotels, museums, galleries, restaurant cuisines, sport events, learn languages, indulge in gambling and almost anything and everything about the local culture in U.S. New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco and all major U.S. cities attract inquisitive Indian crowds every year.

A study by Dresdner Bank shows that expected international tourists expenditure in 2008 in the U.S. is $74.2 billion, which makes it the second largest, preceded by Germany bwhich is the largest.

Tourism especially from India to U.S. is being encouraged and there is a lot more to look out for in the near future.

by Nikki Rattan

Rise of a United India: 1857-1947

While both Indians and Pakistanis celebrate 61 years of independence in 2008 it is important to recognize that the struggle for independence can actually be traced as far back as nearly 90 years prior to 1947. It was the passion and sacrifice of more than just prominent leaders like Gandhi but Indian masses who from the late 19^th century united in an uprising against the British with aspirations of freedom and democracy who truly embody the struggle that not only instigates eventual independence, but symbolizes the profound unification that allowed a rich land historically marred by outside invaders to finally align itself as a formidable force against the injustices of colonialism.
Despite their diversity South Asian masses selflessly rallied behind a collective passion for freedom and it is this model of a united India from which independent nations was born that should not be overlooked this year.

The Uprising -1857: marked the First War of Indian independence.

What many have once termed a mere mutiny, the uprising of Indians in 1857 which began as a revolt of the Sepoys was soon accompanied by a rebellion by the general population. Thus the revolt was intensified by the unification of a diverse mix of Indians ranging from peasants, artisans, religious figures, civil servants and business people who collectively sought freedom from colonial rule. Indians attacked government buildings and prisons, raided the national treasury, charged on barracks. And it were these valiant masses who had little else to gain other than freedom from British oppression who banded together to cement the struggle against colonial rule and eventually demand radical social and economic reforms and call for a society representative of popular demands. So, with a truly unified India consisting of both Hindu's and Muslims of varying social backgrounds it is difficult to dismiss this uprising as a mere mutiny. Furthermore, the fact that this revolt spanned over the course of one year from what is now Bangladesh to Delhi and included support from major urban centers, central India and even as far as the Afghan border and successfully determined that British rule ceased to exist in the northern plains of India confirms that collaboration of this magnitude is not to be overlooked. On the contrary the uprising of 1857 established the roots of nationalism, Indian unity and eventual independence.

Formation and Growth of the Indian National Congress – 1885

Reluctantly endorsed by British rule, the Indian National Congress was founded in Bombay in December of 1885. For the first time a group of scholarly Indians from different parts of the country came together to engage in constructive political, philosophical and intellectual discourse. Initially members of the Congress were moderates who swore loyalty to the British only later in 1907 to see a split in the party wherein more extremist members advocating Indian nationalism free of colonial rule were led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

The formation of the Congress was historic because it fulfilled the fundamental requirement to promote unity and integrity between the masses. "Swadeshi" the call for home rule by Tilak and the call for attainment of 'Swaraj' a type of self-government by Dadabhai Naoroji further spurred the growth and development of spiritual nationalism.

The Indian National Movement and the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi

With Britain deeply entangled in WWI and their immediate interests and attention diverted to helping the Allied powers in Europe, Indian nationalism and anti colonial efforts continued. Also during this time, a charismatic leader in Mohandas Gandhi arrived in India and seamlessly took over charge of heading the National Movement wherein he began leading Indians toward the path of 'ahimsa', non-violent resistance to colonial rule.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre-1919

Noted as one of the most brutal scars inflicted by the British, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre proved to be a pivotal point in the struggle as it stirred even the moderates and British loyalist. When General Dyer appeared at a peaceful religious gathering in Amritsar and opened fire, killing thousands of innocent children, women and men terming them illegal under new formed laws that prohibited public gatherings. This confrontation tremendously polarized Indian efforts against an increasingly oppressive and disconnected Britain in South Asia.

Non-Cooperation Movement: 1920

Mahatma Gandhi launched a non-violent, non-cooperation movement against the British for a Free India. It called for a boycott of all British government functions, institutions, schools, colleges, jobs and even the national army. The scale with which the non cooperation movement was adopted and implemented by Indians was an unprecedented form of boycott and amazed every political leader. However it was not until 1929 that the Congress finally called for 'Purna Swaraj' (complete Independence). It was at this time that the country also saw an emergence of young, radical leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose who became influential at the forefront of the struggle for independence.

As the Civil disobedience movement continued, in 1930 Gandhi embarked on 'Salt Satyagraha' with the famous Dandi March in defiance of the Salt taxes by the British Raj. A series of unsuccessful round-table conferences with the British further isolated the Muslim League from the Congress and the British. Eventually, the notion of an independent Pakistani state gains popularity in 1940 amongst Indian Muslims advocated by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Quit India movement: 1942

The movement ('Bharat Chhodo Andolan') was launched in August 1942 in Bombay where Gandhi declared: "I want freedom immediately, this very night, before dawn, if it can be had. You may take it from me that I am not going to strike a bargain with the Viceroy for ministers and the like… Here is the mantra, a short one that I give you… Do or die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt."

At the same time, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, had escaped to foreign lands and with the help of Japan had organized the Indian National Army (INA) to overthrow the British. Though referred by many as an extremist, his radical ways did play catalyst to pressure the British. He will always be remembered for his strong words "Give me blood and I shall give you freedom".

This movement marked the final home stretch to Independence. Post World War II, ready to pull out of South Asia, the British sent Lord Mountbatten to India with the task of transferring power and planning a strategic transition.

Independence with the price of partition

After nearly a century of passion, struggle and sacrifice, in mid August 1947 Indians successfully ended Britain's colonial grip on South Asia. However independence was not achieved in the same context in which the unified Indians of 1857 conceptualized. The years leading up to independence were marred by political and civil strife between Hindu's and Muslims. On the political front the Muslim League headed by Mohammad Ali Jinnah seeking to secure rights for the Muslim minority found itself skeptical and at odds with the Indian National Congress as led by Gandhi. After failed talks between the two leaders and increasingly violent social strife between Hindu's and Muslims as per Britain's historic divide and conquer strategies a binational solution was seemingly inevitable in 1947. So when India officially attained independence from Britain and two states were formed, unfortunately the legacy of colonialism remained. Hindu-Muslim riots and other conflicts in which all parties suffered unspeakable atrocities and loss of life resulted. So in addition to the physical loss of both life and ceding of territory, the epistemic loss to South Asia was equally detrimental. Widespread mistrust between South Asians across India and Pakistan remain a strong source of contention until today. Therefore as we celebrate independence this year, let us all look back to the 151 years since the first uprising and while we appreciate and reflect on all the sacrifices of our forefathers, let us only learn to bridge the gap between all our differences as our nations establish themselves as emerging world powers.

Call for unity again

Surely the colonial rule exploited us, but the struggle against them united us. The South Asian belt was always an extremely diverse region but the introduction of railways, spread of English language and coalesce of dispersed princely states by the British during the early 20^th Century, united India as one nation for the first time. United we were, though only until the British were there. Ironically, post-Independence and partition the region has seen four wars, much domestic / communal violence, political instability, a nuclear arms race and terrorism on both sides of the border. We can endlessly look back and re-think all that could have been done differently, but now it's time to only look ahead as the world focuses its attention on us as the emerging nations. The next decade is for us South Asians to capitalize on the economic boom, emerge from poverty and seize our chance to once again be the new land of peace and opportunity. Increased economic interdependence in South Asia can serve as a curtailing force against current mistrust, instability and terrorism and once again bring our diverse region together, only this time from within, for long term and in the right way. Hence the call for "united we stand divided we fall"again. Happy Independence Day!

By Zainab Jeewanjee and Bhavik Vasa

Guest writers for Independence Day Special Edition:
Bhavik Vasa: Mr. India America 2006
Zainab Jeewanjee: Sales director at Go One Global Corp

Making of a man: Bhavik Vasa

2005 graduate of Northwood University and working for ISTS Worldwide, a technology startup, Bhavik Vasa, Mr. India America 2006, talks to SATimes:

• Where are you originally from?

Bhavik: Born and raised in Mumbai. Though I currently reside in northern California I am still truly a proud 'bumbaiya'.

• Please tell us about the success achieved.

Bhavik: It was an extremely overwhelming experience to carry the title of Mr. India America 2006, along with a proud opportunity to represent India at the Indian Independence Day Parade 2007, in California. The appreciation, love and support of our people so far away from home has been awesome.

• What is your fitness regime or mantra?

Bhavik: Passion, Patience and Perseverance… Believe me, I agree more than anyone else that it's easier said than done. Oh, even I have my off days, bored of routine jogging and exercises at the gym. Hence the trick is to keep mixing it up with different sports: swimming, cycling, soccer, squash. Even golf works!

• What is your inspiration?

Bhavik: Leave my Mark behind… tattooed on my foot is a constant reminder of my hunger and inspiration to keep achieving.

• What are your future dreams and plans?

Bhavik: An entrepreneur at heart, there is much work in progress to soon take that first plunge.

• What brands have you modeled for?

Bhavik: Nothing particularly recently.

• Do you plan to enter Bollywood?

Bhavik: My sister Vandita Vasa is an actress and part of the industry, so by virtue of association I have been asked this question many times. My consistent answer: 'yes of course, why not?! Just waiting for an offer I cannot refuse)'.

• What is the best thing about your profession? And the worst?

Bhavik: Like any profession, even this one has its challenges and of course sometimes the pretence and superficiality can get extremely annoying, but true passion for performance gives me an ultimate high.

• What perfume do you wear?

Bhavik: These days it's YSL L'Homme & Lacoste Essential.

• Your favorite outfit?

Bhavik: My destroyed/torn A&F jeans with a white tee.

• Your first crush?

Bhavik: Wow… this was a long time ago. Probably, my 8^th grade English teacher.

• What is your favorite bedroom line?

Bhavik: (laughs) The bedroom's just an option, there are many alternatives!

• Three wishes you'd like to be granted if possible?

Bhavik: First wish - The apt and expected answer would be to ask for 'World Peace' or something (smiles) but for now let's make the number of wishes unlimited.

Second wish - The courage to tell my mom I just can't add her on my Facebook though I love her a lot.

Third wish- People to guess my age correctly and not identify me as much older as they do all the time.

• Last but not the least, what stands you apart from others?

Bhavik: Simply being me.

Log on to http://bhavikvasa.wordpress.com/ to know more.

By Nikki Rattan